2026-09-11: New Year's Phantom Blessings (And One Big Curse)

• Log: 2026-09-11 New Year's Phantom Blessings (And One Big Curse)
• Cast: Ren Amamiya, Futaba Sakura, Tsubasa Seki, Ryuji Sakamoto, Hibari Aoki, Ichika Kawase, Makoto Niijima
• Where: Meiji Shrine
• OOC Date: September 12, 2026
• IC Date: January 07, 2013
• Summary: It's barely a week into the year, and between the Jokerfication and kidnapping of Tsubasa's mom, the aggressive new Homunculus at Shujin Academy, and how Ren's new detective boyfriend knows their alter ego, it's already been and continues to be a rough one for The Phantoms. Still, they are together for their first shrine visit of the year... for the most part... and they'll continue to support each other as they get their annual omikuji fortunes... right?

---

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.

    It's midday on the last day of winter break. The air is cold and crisp, the sun is shining bright, and it's a fine day to pay one's respects at a shrine and wish for a good new year. Ren and friends had agreed to do that today since it's also the day after college entrance exams for the third-years in their group (the ones aiming for college, anyway), which means that this is the perfect time to unwind and spend time with friends.
    
    ...To say nothing of how The Phantoms failed to protect Tsubasa's mom from the NWO, or even catch them in a trap like they'd all planned. Ren's been worried about Tsubasa's state of mind. Having a chance to spend time with everyone might help cheer them up.
    
    Morgana's got a bit of manic energy today too. At least, he keeps popping out of their shoulder back to half-perch on their shoulder as the two make their way to Meiji Shrine to meet up with everyone. Ren knows the reason why, though.
    
    "Is Lady Ann here yet? She's coming, right? How do I look?" he babbles in between licking a paw and running it over his face and ears to groom his fur. His white-tipped tail is all but lashing, but he does look nice today. His fur is extra silky thanks to a bath-and-brush Ren helped him with last night, and his yellow collar is extra bright after a cleaning.
    
    After all, with Ren and Ryuji's romantic successes, Morgana's finally decided to tell Ann how he feels, right after everyone prays and gets their omikuji fortunes for the year. Ren is not sure it's a good idea, but... maybe it'll help bring him closure, so they encouraged him to go for it.
    
    "You look good," Ren reassures him as the two head through the torii to the Meiji Shrine, phone in one hand. They're in a long, dark winter coat and a blue scarf, for their part, with a turtleneck and jeans underneath along with their usual glasses and wristwatch. They half-turn to address Futaba, who came here with the two. "We might be here a little early. You see any of the others?"
    
    Something for her to concentrate on besides whatever nerves she might be feeling. It's pretty crowded today, after all. This is the last day of winter break for a lot of people, and Meiji Shrine is both beautiful, surrounded by nature despite being in the heart of Tokyo, and a large and popular shrine. There's lots of people who'd want to come here for their first shrine visit of the year.

<Pose Tracker> Futaba Sakura has posed.

 
Futaba's body language speaks clearly that she is stressed.

Hunched shoulders. Her neck held that weird subtly swanlike angle. Downcast eyes. And yet. AND YET! She has her earphones on, taking the edge off. Her military surplus-looking winter coat has been zipped up, and she has left her thigh-high coding socks at home in favor of a pair of dark purple tights, which are probably keeping the edge off of the cold.

At least as she stays near Ren. They are an excellent wind-break, as well as being a -- essential party member.

But stressed isn't broken; stressed isn't collapsed; stress isn't running away. If nothing else, Futaba has at least a fair shot at getting the gods to favor her.

When asked if she can see anybody else, Futaba turns a little...

...

            OTHER PEOPLE'S BODIES
FUTABA EYELINE (145cm)===
            A ROCK OR SOMETHING

"Nope," Futaba says, with a nod. She then looks towards Morgana... but if she was going to do something or say something it does not come to pass. A strategy cancelled!? (For a brief moment, Futaba considered picking up Morgana and holding him above her head so that he'd have the benefit of even greater range, but perhaps realized this wouldn't be very sneaky.)

She clanks some change (probably a bunch of five yen coins) in her coat pocket. "A lot of them were driving, right? We should focus our monitoring in that direction. Maybe they texted, hold on." PHONE OUT - SCREEN ENGAGED

<Pose Tracker> Tsubasa Seki has posed.

    Tsubasa's state of mind is -- you know -- they're alive! Ichika did come pick them up after entrance exams, so they're doing better than they could have been, plus any text chat strings they'd have gotten done with their friends now Tsubasa isn't directing their third-year buddies to focus on the exam.

    They enter with Ichika, because of course she drove the Sumaru roughs there. (They did, indeed, text.) Luckily, going van-style means they've been able to bring Lance, too!! She's the first one over to the group, padding over and doing a little dance as she whines and wags her tail to see the cat. (She wants to play with the cat!) She's only distracted for a moment, though, before she realises that A FRIENDLY HUMAN IS STRESSED --

    And so --

    Lance does a little dance in front of her, tosa inu paw pads thumping, as she whines and wriggles and tries to lick her hand.

    "Lance, don't get pushy," Tsubasa calls out, hunched over -- but still taller than Futaba, they're a nice even five-foot-five, plus the height they have from the devil horns on their black and red hoodie that's all zipped up against the cold, magenta hair peeking out from beneath it -- as they slouch towards the group. "Yo," they call, lifting a hand, as they do. "Good seein' ya."

<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.

Believing he is running late, the blonde haired menace, Ryuji Sakamoto rushes into the area, doubling over as he tries to catch his breath. He clearly ran here from where ever, holding up a hand as he finally looks up. "Did I miss it?!"

 What does he mean?

 His girlfriend in a Kimono of course! Though, he is dressed in pretty plain clothes--a purple hoodie, a t-shirt with something exploding on the body, and some black pants that look ok to run in. He looks around, spotting Ren and Morgana. "Yo! Ren-Ren. Hows it hanging? You ready to see true beauty?! I sure as hell am!" He sounds pretty excited for Ichika and company to arrive as he slouches in his stance, grinning widely.

 "Oh man, this is gonna be so good. Heh heh." He rubs his hands together, psyched to see his GF....However something does catch his eye. He spots Morgana with the collar and looking dolled up...for a feline anyway. "Whats up with you?" He doesn't mean to sound like he's judging but it might come off that way with how blunt he says it. He merely raises a brow at the Phantom Thieves' mascot? Advisor? Narcissistic, treasure crazy gremlin?

 Ryuji then looks to Futaba and nods to the actual gremlin of the Phantoms. He is honestly shocked he hasn't run into at one of his many Akiba jobs....Probably not the secret one.

 But then Tsubasa shows up and Ryuji is suddenly excited. "OH MAN....THIS IS IT....Hey Tsubasa...I'm so ready."

<Pose Tracker> Hibari Aoki has posed.

Hibari isn't much of a shrine-goer - she shows up a couple times a year to do the usual thing and doesn't think about it the whole year otherwise.

She usually does it sometime around New Years, though, and this year she has a new reason to go at a specific time: she can go with her friends. This usually isn't an option for her; a lot of her friends have previously gone with family, or they're not the sort of person who she'd invite to something like this.

And she's done with entrance exams. While she focused on the exams pretty hard over the last while - at least partially at Tsubasa's urging - all she can do *now* is worry about them, and she can do that at the same time she can do other things. Now that's multi-tasking for you, even if it's not exactly the sort they tell you about in class...

(Hibari texted, too. She's pretty scrupulous about making sure things are at least a little organized. It'd drive her nuts if they weren't.)

Hibari follows just a bit behind Tsubasa. She's a little shorter, five three or four maybe, and *she* doesn't have anything adding to her height. She has a longish coat, black slacks with wide-cut legs, and a green top (not the short-sleeved one she wears a lot of the time with similar pants, because of the weather; the green is different).

"Afternoon!" she calls, with a smile. She would have been surprised to see Futaba here if she hadn't been, you know, texting, so she already knows perfectly well that she's going to be around somewhere, and everyone gets a smile.

Hibari has actually not re-dyed her hair, and has recently gotten a trim (it's only slightly shorter than before) so the ombre is looking a little... well, less present. She has her reasons!

<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.

Ichika drove, of course. It's important to make use of the car to get places. Her van is great!

She walks over from parking with Lance, Tsubasa, and Hibari. As it happens, it's not hard to drive in a kimono. ...Ichika's been doing her best to take care of Tsubasa, given all that's happened. But she's also glad to get to see everybody else; she wasn't at the battle. And, of course...

Her red kimono with plum blossoms is there for Ryuji to see. She has her now-shorter (but still kind of long) hair up, bleached-blonde as ever, and is indeed elegant and pretty.

...it's kind of nice to see that even with everything being terrible on the one hand, Ryuji is still Ryuji.

"You better be," she comments. "I'm not walking over a second time."

Then she smiles; she's 5'7", herself, very tall for a girl. "Lance seems to want to make a friend..."

"Hey, everybody."

<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.

    It's been a *long* year, and it's only the first week of 2013.

    Normally, for the first shrine visit of the year, Makoto would be attending with her sister and clad in a kimono. Unfortunately, this has really been a year for breaking her routines. If she weren't travelling to Meiji Shrine from Shinjuku alone, she might have gone through the effort- but unfortunately, the problems with kimonos are that they're a lot of work and difficult to run in.

    Sure, she could have asked the Phantom Thieves Sumaru Crew to pick her up, but that would have been being a bother- especially with how bad traffic can be in Shinjuku.

    As such, Makoto is dressed for the midwinter cold-- a loose, white cable knit turtleneck, a thigh length velvet blue coat, a black skirt, black stockings, and black boots. The same outfit she wore last week, in other words. Look, it's fine, Futaba's basically doing the same thing.

    (Makoto knows, of course, that Ann and Tsubasa are right but she's being stubborn.)

    Still, she has prominent features to look for- Ichika's height, Ryuji and Futaba's hair, Lance and Morgana- plenty of things to make finding a group easier, and while it will be crowded it's not as crowded as it should be.

    "Good afternoon, everyone," Makoto says, approaching the group with a wave of her hand. It's a little easier to relax once she is in with the rest of the group.

    Her eyes do, perhaps, linger on Ichika a bit too long for someone not dating her, but to be fair, it's the first time she's seen Ichika fully dolled up, though she looks away and back to everyone else soon enough. "The kimono suits you," Makoto says, because it is normal for girls to compliment other's outfits and she's not being weird about it. She thinks.

    Still, now everyone is grouping up together, she does cast a little slightly concerned look to Tsubasa. "Holding up still?"

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.

    Ren sees Futaba look around. She clearly doesn't see anyone. But it does divert her attention from nerves, and that's the important part. Morgana blinks his bright blue eyes at Futaba with an audible "?" but no Monanapping happens so that's all that comes of it.
    
    "The Kasugayama crew are, anyway," they reply. The rest of them are either locals or don't have motor vehicles. Futaba whips out her phone, so they check theirs as well--
    
    That's when Ryuji comes racing in. "Miss what?" Ren wonders, thinking at first he's talking about something going on at the shrine. However, when he explains... ah. His eagerness to see 'true beauty' is so Ryuji that they can't help but smile. It's a precious piece of normalcy. "So I see."
    
    "Ugh, don't laugh like that, you sound like a creep," Morgana meanwhile criticizes him. Being in that mindset, when Ryuji asks him what's up, he defensively retorts, "N-nothing! I can clean up for New Year's if I want!" He points an accusatory paw at him. "Unlike you--couldn't you dress a little nicer for Ichika?! She deserves better than a grubby T-shirt and some sweats!"
    
    "Hey," Ren starts, but before they can properly cut off the fight in progress: jingle jingle jingle. Interruption accepted. "Oh, here they are," they say, because that's clearly Lance's dog tags. Literal dog tags, on account of her being a dog.
    
    "Lance! You're in fine spirits, as always," Morgana says, brightening, to the tosa inu; now that he's gotten used to her, and is also well out of reach, he can be friendly. The switch might be especially annoying to Ryuji, all considered. Ren offers her a hand to sniff, though if she's more focused on Futaba, he doesn't blame her and indeed is grateful if she can cheer her up.
    
    To Tsubasa, they offer back an equally laconic, "Yo. Same to you." They offer them a concerned frown. "...You hanging in there?" They'd texted them yesterday asking how they were doing after wishing them good luck on entrance exams, and got a thumbs-up emoji for their efforts. They don't quite trust that, but they definitely get not wanting to talk about it...
    
    They offer Hibari and Ichika a smile as the two of them approach from behind Tsubasa. Ryuji's not wrong; Ichika looks great in that kimono. The striking colors suit her pale-dyed hair. "Hey, you two." A nod to Ichika. "Looking good." To Hibari, they say thoughtfully, "You look different." And, with a slight half-smile: "Got a haircut?"
    
    They notice the hair dye fading out too, of course. It's a little bit of a joke--though with her having actually gotten a haircut too, it might not come across.
    
    "You really do look good, Ichika! That kimono looks like it was made for you. Did you get it tailored?" Morgana is telling her, meanwhile. Flowers all but waft from his head. "Oh, man--I can't wait to see Lady Ann in a kimono! I bet she looks ameowzing!"
    
    Ren's smile turns a bit nervous. Fortunately, that's when Makoto walks up. She's not in a kimono either, and if Ren pointedly doesn't comment on her eyes lingering on Ichika, well, at least they and Ichika herself will know why. "Hey, Makoto. Good seeing you." She too asks Tsubasa how they're doing, and their gaze tracks over to them as they sober.

<Pose Tracker> Futaba Sakura has posed.

 
With her height and eyeline and nervous tension (however subcritical), Futaba can't clearly distinguish the approaching group - the tall woman in a kimono next to a blond might make them scan as foreigners (neutral) to Futaba's gaze, even if Tsubasa is themselves a memorable character -- but

BUT

There is someone there who is undeniable and profoundly recognizable even at a distance, especially as that distance closes:

            L A N C E

"Ah!" Futaba exclaims with a cut-in of her eyes and a shocking flash background.

"Ren! Look! They brought Lance!" Futaba is swiftly confronted with the presence of a Big Friendly Dog, and she squirms in place for a moment even as Lance attempts for the hand slurp. Futaba's hand, uncovered by glove, is soon covered with *love*, and at this point she sinks to her knees downwards and lets out a 'hnnnn' of uncertainty before.

BEFORE...

Futaba reaches up and wubbles Lance's face. She puts her hands on what would be the back of the cheeks and lets out a gasp while commenting, "*so soft*" Lance appears to take this well, although Futaba's *other* hand gets slurped.

"Good girl," Futaba says with force. At this point she has, at least, satisfied herself, and moves to pet Lance's head with slightly-too-fast strokes. The touch of someone who has not had much chance with dogs. (Tsubasa, no doubt, had curbed many of Futaba's possible anxieties about being bitten by simply sharing the visual representations of Dog. It is abundantly clear that Lance is not a human-biter, unless, perhaps, you are evil.)

Futaba remains at dog level, even as she looks up at the others. "Nice to see you," she says to Hibari-in-specific before looking at RyujiIchikaTsubasa from this crouched, dog-oriented hunch. "It's super beautiful," Futaba concurs with Morgana regarding the kimono, before nodding at Makoto and reaching down to flopple Lance's ears a little.

*AT THAT POINT* Futaba starts getting up unless she gets puppy-piled back to the ground. Or at least, back to an upright stance instead of crouched down.

"If anyone needs coins, I made change for a 500 before we left Yongenjaya," she adds. (This was presumably done at Leblanc, not... the grocery shop.)

<Pose Tracker> Tsubasa Seki has posed.

    "Ain't disappointin'," Tsubasa grins, to Ryuji, as they jerk their head back towards the way they came. And there she is, the girl of the hour, the one who's been saving their ass!!

    (Tsubasa... didn't really feel like gussying up, themself, but Ichika's rockin' it. Luckily, Hibari's making sure they're not sticking out too much in that devil hoodie of theirs with her own coat.)

    "She's smokin' hot," Tsubasa agrees (and perhaps unwittingly translates for) Makoto, but of course it's fine for them to say that, they're dating Ichika. It would be worse if they didn't have things to say about her hotness!

    Sniff, sniff! Lance recognises Ren's smell (FRIEND HUMAN!) and her tail wagging increases from 90 to 120 kilometres per hour, which for the Americans in the audience will just have to be accepted as very fast. She's more focused on Futaba, but she likes Ren, too!!!

    "Uh, yeah," Tsubasa rubs at the back of their hoodie, looking from Makoto to Ren, shifting on a foot. "Like, uh... bit rough, but... y'know, copin'? Ichika's been 'round a lot," they jerk a thumb back to her. "So I'm aight."

    (It is reasonable to assume, here, that the reason Tsubasa is coping and aight is in fact because Ichika has been doing, just, SO much emotional labour, you guys.)

    "Yeah, Ann-chan always looks great," Tsubasa agrees with Morgana, but in the more reserved fashion of telling a girl she's cute because she puts the work in, which might honestly be all the more frustrating because you'd think they'd understand a young man's burning heart!! Sorry, Morgana. Tsubasa... just doesn't have that high of an Understanding score, man.

    And then -- LANCE! Gets wubbubububububububed! And her face wibble-wobbles, skin loose like a fighting dog, but of course the only thing she fights is the sadness of humans. She plonks her butt down and presents a paw to Futaba, to shake! And if she's not quick on the draw, Lance will rest her head on her shoulder, like a puppy hug!!

    She can probably get back up, though.

    If she can resist continuing to pet the dog.

    "Cool," Tsubasa nods, to Futaba. "Lost all me change to th' Beckonin' Cat at work, so..." There's a big beckoning cat statue at Kuzunoha Detective Agency, you see, which implores students and adults alike to show charity, and Tsubasa happens to know just what that charity fuels, so they try to make sure to always have a hundred yen to offer.

    It's insurance, man. Cat might decide to play with their eyeballs like cat toys if they don't. IT ALMOST HAPPENED ONCE ALREADY!

<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.

Ryuji's jaw drops when he sees Ichika's red kimono, whistling as he takes it all in. "Worth the wait! Hi, babe." He grins as he makes his way over to Ichika, Tsubasa, and Hibari. He stands next to Tsubasa, putting a hand on his shoulder as he attempts to balance being good to someone having a horrible time and being excited to see Ichika's look.

 "Hey dude. Wanna go play some games sometime soon?" He offers to Tsubasa, trying to be a good partner. He isn't exactly great at this considering what was wrong BUT if it was his mom....He sighs at the thought. No, he needs to be there for Tsubasa. "Like I know stuff sucks right now but we'll make it right. We're the damn Phantom Thieves! We'll get her back, ya know it!" He gently squeezes Tsubasa's shoulder, trying his best.

 Then that damn cat has to open his mouth. Ryuji eyes narrow. "Oh yeah. Like you should talk with that weird laugh you do, cat." He clears his throat and mimics Morgana's posture with a 'nyahehe'. It isn't spot on but it gets the job done. "Also don't criticize my look when you're all dolled up for--~~Lady Ann~~." He grins devilishly and knows even if he's not right on the reason, that is gonna ruffle the cat's...feathers. No, wait that didn't work.

 Ryuji looks over to Ren as Ryuji watches Futaba get excited over Lance. "Well she seems to be doing well. Never woulda thought."

 He pauses for a moment before looking seriously at them. "You doing ok, dude? Sorry if I've been a little all over the place. This break was nuts with work...I especially feel bad about well...you know. We're gonna fix it. Doesn't matter."

 Ryuji spots Makoto and waves. "Yo! Hows it going?" He isn't surprised that Makoto isn't in a kimono...maybe a little disappointed Ichika is the only one. Still Makoto seemed practical and traveling with a car in such an outfit was a pain. That said, Ryuji still wishes his friend could have true beauty like he is experiencing. He steals another look at Ichika and grins.

<Pose Tracker> Hibari Aoki has posed.

Hibari has been trying to keep an eye on Tsubasa too, and even chat with them, but, well... she was exhorted to focus on her exams, and she actually did, because she has a life plan now (as rough as it is) and it's only going to be harder if she doesn't manage to be at least okay in her placements.

Hibari got to see Lance on their way down. Rest assured she did. (Not that she doesn't see Lance fairly regularly anyway.) She gives Futaba another smile but does not interrupt Lance Time beyond that. Though... "I think I have some change," she says, though she's uncertain, having completely forgotten to double-check. She'll check when it comes time; she can always borrow something from Futaba, apparently.

"A bit of one," Hibari agrees with Ren. "I'm going to change the colour, I think. I haven't decided if I want to do a blonde or, like... a blue? I don't know if I have the complexion to pull off blue. But either way I don't want to be copying either of the others." She doesn't seem seriously worried about the possibility - the blonde Hibari's considering is a very different shade than Ichika's, and Tsubasa, of course, doesn't even have blue right now - but she's not thinking about cyan either.

She does agree with Morgana, "She does, doesn't she? I didn't know she was going to wear it ahead of time." Not that that would have convinced Hibari to wear one too; she doesn't really like wearing kimonos very much, they don't match her style very well. About her only contribution would be giving advice and helping out the people that are. She grins to watch Ryuji but doesn't interrupt - she can talk to him later.

"I like the coat," she asides to Makoto. Which is true. It's not *that* different than her own, though, even if the rest of their outfits are very different, so probably she's a little biased.

<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.

"Afternoon," Ichika answers Makoto--and while she can tell the difference between a platonic look and being kind of checked out... she doesn't especially mind the latter, and Makoto doesn't make a big deal of it, so Ichika smiles back. "Thank you," she says. Totally not weird about it!

"Thanks," she says to Ren too, and grins, showing off a little by turning to the side. Then Morgana chimes in, "I did! Just a little while back, while we were on break." She smiles at Futaba's compliment, too. "It used to be my mom's..." A beat, "She definitely would." Of Ann. But then, even with Morgana's crush aside, Ann looks great in most things. ...Ichika gets it.

Ichika is not too self-conscious at being the only one dressed up in this particular way, thanks to everyone telling her how great she looks. Especially Tsubasa and Ryuji.

"Hey there," she says to Ryuji, and grins at him. "Glad you think so." It's too Friend Time for PDAs, but she's happy to stand around him and Tsubasa for the moment. And when he tries to help...

"We're all here for you," Ichika reitertes.

"I've got change," Ichika assures Futaba too, and then looks over Hibari thoughtfully. "I do like blue..."

She smiles at Hibari though. "Warning people makes it less fun!"

<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.

    "You too," Makoto responds to Ren, smiling slightly more warmly. It is easier around friends, though she is fidgeting with the strap of her handbag a bit right now. The astute might notice the fact that there's a plain black umbrella hooked to it today- just in case. Look, you never know when another event might be rained out out of nowhere.

    Once again, Futaba serves as a reminder that Makoto isn't behaving that weirdly and Ichika doesn't seem put off, which is nice. Indeed, she nods to Futaba. "Good thinking, Futaba-chan. You don't want to get caught out on a shrine visit."

    Tsubasa does indeed translate for Makoto. "I'm glad," Makoto says, on Tsubasa's response to the question. "Just... feel free to reach out if you need anything. Ichika's right. We're all here for you." Her eyes do glance briefly to Ichika as well- possibly extending the invitation further.

    Makoto is not privy to Ryuji's inner thoughts, thankfully. Still, she gives him a wave back. Makoto is practical, yes- but there are other factors at play here. "...Still going. Wish I had more of a break between entrance exams and term starting, honestly, but it's how it goes." Exams come to mind again quickly after that. "By the way, Ryuji- good work on your grades this term. I hope you can keep it up."

    ...what? It's normal to reward good behaviour, isn't it?

    "Oh! Thank you!" Makoto is a little surprised to be complimented on her fashion. "Sis got it for me for my birthday this year, but I haven't had a chance to really wear it yet." That's also normal, right? "You look good, too. And uh, thanks for the suggestion on places to study. It helped."

    Makoto is nowhere near as good at telling the difference as Ichika is, and the knowledge would probably have saved her some problems some problems. "I was tempted to wear mine, but... I don't think I could have quite made it in time. It takes a lot to get ready." She's lying, of course. She's still not good at it.

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.

    Ren's heart warms to see Futaba so hype to see Lance. "I'm looking," they tell her, and indeed, they watch as she aggressively cherishes Lance's face and calls her a good dog with the firmness of titanium. They're an only child, but they're as happy for her as they would be for a sister. It really is nice to see her being able to be happy and secure in the light of day.
    
    It's also nice to be able to give Lance vigorous headrubs of their own too as her tail frequency increase to So Fast You Guys, of course. Ren and Morgana share a smile on this count.
    
    Hibari says she's considering either blonde or blue for her next hair color. They nod thoughtfully, and when Ichika puts in a vote for blue, they say, "Blue could be an interesting look for you, yeah. If it turns out you don't like it, you can switch to blonde then, right?" Ren doesn't have enough experience with hair dye to know how easy or difficult that would be.
    
    Ichika modeling her kimono gets another, more appreciative nod. "She's pretty tall too, huh? I bet you didn't have to get it tailored much," they remark.
    
    "Oh, really? That's too bad," Morgana remarks to Makoto of her not having time to put on a kimono. "I'm sure you'd have looked just as elegant." Ren nods agreement on this.
    
    In general, though, Makoto responds positively, but she's fidgeting, and she doesn't have her Buchimaru-kun umbrella... Ren's gaze flick over to the solid black one, then back to her with a concerned look. "Did something happen with your umbrella?" they ask. They know how much she loves Buchimaru-kun. They also know about her ill-fated encounter with Shinichi Nagisa's Homunculus--but she never mentioned the umbrella there.
    
    Her congratulating Ryuji on his grades gets Ren to nod in agreement. "Yeah, I was impressed. You really pulled them up this time, huh?" they remark. Ryuji being in the middle of the grade is a lot better compared to earlier in the year.
    
    "So even a monkey can learn some tricks!" Morgana teases. "Pretty soon you'll be head of the circus animals, Ryuji!"
    
    Tsubasa reveals that they're doing all right because Ichika's around. Ren's eyes flick towards her. They get what Tsubasa is saying: that she's taking care of a lot of emotional labor so they can be all right. That's a good thing, though. Tsubasa's the one who keeps going through it. If it were the other way around right now, they're sure they'd be supporting her right back. "Glad to hear. I know we can't be there for you as much as we'd like." They nod to Ichika and Hibari. "Good to know you're all still watching each others' backs."
    
    So it's also good to see Ryuji going over to Tsubasa to offer his support now that they're all face-to-face. Ryuji saying the Phantom Thieves part out loud makes them shoot an alarmed look around them at the crowds, but fortunately, it's crowded to the point that everyone's paying attention to their own conversations right now; the people who are looking are clearly looking at the dog. Still--
    
    "Wh--how is my laugh weird or creepy?!" Morgana demands. His fur outright frizzes when Ryuji basically calls him out on why he looks so nice; if he had a human face, he'd be blushing bright red right now. However, considering Morgana just criticized Ryuji for looking bad... "What is THAT supposed to mean?!" he demands.
    
    "Hey, we're in public," Ren says warningly to the both of them, keeping their voice low as a reminder.
    
    Morgana grimaces, ears flattening. "F-fine," he murmurs. "I don't want to ruffle my fur before Lady Ann gets here, anyway..."
    
    It's at that moment that the group chat notification goes off. Ren and anyone else who pulls out their phone will see a message from Ann, saying that she's running late due to a last-minute photoshoot she had to do today and they should all go on without her.
    
    Morgana, reading this over their shoulder, deflates.
    
    "...Let's head over to the shrine, then," Ren suggests, glancing at him in concern. "They're going to run out of fortunes at this rate."
    
    While everyone's in line, Ren gives Ryuji a little shrug. "I'm doing fine. It's everyone else I'm worried about," they murmur back. They do shoot another small smile at Futaba. "Yeah. I'm glad." They look back at him. "Don't worry about it. It's been hectic for all of us." Ann's not the only one who has other things to do today.
    
    Pause. "There's something I want to let you all know, by the way..." they add, looking around to the group. They'd hoped everyone would get to be here, but this is good enough for now. They'll tell Yusuke and Haru later. "I'll tell you once we've got our fortunes."
    
    Once they are all at the front of the line, they all take turns praying. Morgana has Ren do it for him: shake the bell twice, put in their and Morgana's offerings, bow twice, clap twice, and finally bow one more time. What do the two of them wish for? Well...
    
    Over at the omikuji box, Ren picks a scroll, and Morgana points to the one he wants. Ren pulls a 'kichi,' or decent luck. Good, but not that good. They pull open Morgana's, and...
    
    'DAIKYO - TERRIBLE MISFORTUNE'
    
    'ESPECIALLY IN ROMANCE'
    
    "GAAAAHHHHHHH," Morgana wails as quietly as it is possible for a devastated not-a-cat. In fairness, this is actually surprisingly quiet. Only the group will end up hearing. That might be bad enough, though.

<Pose Tracker> Futaba Sakura has posed.

 
Wagging crazy!! So precious!! And even as she rises, Futaba is presented with a paw.

"Ah!" Futaba takes the paw in both of her own paws, quite ceremoniously. Squeeze. *Shake*. The pads!! They're warm!!!

Warmish. It is, after all, pretty cold out. "You can't control how you laugh, you know," Futaba tells Ryuji. There is no elaborating. At Ryuji's question to Ren, Futaba also looks towards them. But Hibari has an actual question. "Do a mid-tone blue but don't bleach," Futaba advises her. After this, her eyes settle on Ichika and her kimono, while giving Lance her due in Pets without looking.

Oh, it was once Ichika's mom's kimono.

Huh, Futaba thinks to herself. I wonder if Mom had one. Let's review - looks that way. What happened to it? I guess it was probably sold, the thoughts continue. That's too bad.

That's...

Futaba's hand runs over Lance's head, and the soft fur catches the thought quietly. "See," Futaba nods, when Ichika voices her opinion in concurrence. The idea comes by again, within Futaba's head, as Makoto speaks, but the vector is different. Something she'll remember later.

"It's warm? I mean, it's not uncomfy in the winter?" Futaba asks Ichika, the clarifying comment coming almost immediately after the initial hit. Almost immediately.

Her attention turns towards Makoto on the matter of the umbrella... or rather, the umbrella that isn't there. She wrinkles her nose for a moment and looks up at the sky, but after that it's moving into school talk. And so when there is the news of Ann being delayed and not about to join them, Futaba is in thought already about the perils of...

School.

Futaba had been following behind Ren and Morgana, having never quite left their orbit despite the powerful allure of Dog. So she's the next one to grab a scroll, accented with a 'pon!' vocalized under her breath. She unscrolls it.

SUE-KICHI - FUTURE BLESSING

ESPECIALLY IN - SCHOOL

Futaba's lips pull to the side in a complicated way, but she doesn't comment... though Morgana's wail of existential, soul-rending despair does make her look up with a startle.

<Pose Tracker> Hibari Aoki has posed.

"It would probably be easier to go blonde to blue," Hibari says. "Since blonde is lighter, unless I go for a pale blue... but I've never switched colours before, honestly. I've only ever used that one brand of red. And that brand's being discontinued... so rather than try to match it I decided to go for a change. I'd been thinking about it anyway."

Hibari actually has a reasonable grasp of fashion, even if her tastes are sometimes not in sync with other people's. Not bizarre or anything, and she almost always manages to come off as reasonably well-dressed; she just has personal tastes rather than generally following fashion magazines (though she does read them). But she does favour longer coats. Mujina has one too, but Hibari had one of her own long before that.

"Well, it works," is Hibari's decision about Makoto's coat. She doesn't know her sister, but apparently she has good taste too.

And both Makoto and Ichika point out how long it takes to get ready in a kimono... "Absolutely. I don't actually have one, myself. And I know you can rent them, but you have to bring them back by the end of the day - around 6pm today, and given we're coming from Sumaru..." She's not sure she could have gotten it back in time even if she wanted to.

Mid-tone blue... "Hmm," she says, thoughtfully. She's thinking about how it'd look on her. Probably not too bad, she thinks. She's already used to some of the brighter colours; the red part of the ombre was pretty vibrant.

Hibari frowns slightly at the 'monkey' comment. "Hey," she says, "it's New Years'... well, all right, it isn't, but we're at a shrine for New Years'." It's Hibari's instinct to play peacemaker, and so she does: "It's great that Ryuji-kun got his grades up. I don't know that mine would look as good as they do if I was at Shujin and not Kasugayama."

(Hibari's grades are actually pretty good - despite what she said, she wouldn't look bad at any school - but it *is* easier to hit the top third when a fair number of the students don't care what they get at all...)

"Ooh, a mystery," she says, about Ren's announcement. "Yes, let's, before they run out."

Hibari will never tell what she wished for. But she will tell what she got:

    'SUEKICHI - A FUTURE BLESSING'
    'AUSPICIOUS IN BUSINESS DEALINGS'

"I suppose that's good," Hibari says, privately hoping that it means that she's going to get that apprenticeship she was working for. ...look, she might not go to shrines often, but she still does believe in luck, at least a little. She's seen too much to not.

She's going to keep this one, of course, but Morgana's wail suggests that *someone* did not get what they were hoping for.

"Bad one, huh?" she asks, looking over Ren's shoulder (she stands on tiptoe to do it given he's got a good half foot of height on her) because she is not adverse to peeking. She does like her gossip. "Ooh. Rough," she says, sympathetically.

"...do you want a hand tying that?" Well, presumably Ren has it handled anyway.

Though in the privacy of her head: 'Romance? With what Ryuji said - but he's a cat!! Yes, all right, he says he isn't, but he's still SHAPED like a cat!' This may explain the somewhat baffled expression she had before the sympathetic one. ...In her defense, she hasn't seen Morgana and Ann in the same place very often.

<Pose Tracker> Tsubasa Seki has posed.

    "Sure, let's hit th' arcade," Tsubasa says, looking sidelong to Ryuji, head dipping in a nod. "... yeah. Me father called me after, said how he'd sent mom to a fuckin' madhouse for inpatient treatment or whatever... so she's gotta still be alive somewhere." Whether she's human is another matter, even if one accepts the hope that Hanzou isn't lying. "We'll... figure somethin' out. Yeah," they add, nodding to Ichika, too, when she voices everyone's support. "... thanks. I will," they promise, to Makoto, in turn.

    They would, indeed, be right by Ichika if she was stuck in the shit, just as Ren intuits. ... for one, they'll be keeping her mom out of any kind of facility like that. No one's gonna fuck with Mrs. Ichika's Mom while Tsubasa's around.

    Thankfully they don't say the 'Phantom Thieves' part out loud...

    Hibari ponders hair colours, and Tsubasa, who is limited only by their wig budget, nods thoughtfully. "Nah," they say, after scrutinising her for a moment. "Blue'd rock. Risk it straight to blue." Because, indeed, it is easier to go from blonde to blue. But if Hibari goes for blue, they'll put blue off their list of good wig colours... that's just gang style politeness. They are surprised, though, as they look to Futaba. "Eh? You do a lotta dyes?" They ask, having evidently not suspected it from her. (Do they think the red is natural???)

    "Yeah, kimonos are a fuck," they agree, with Makoto. (Cover... safe!) "Couldn't be arsed." Translation: they don't own one and didn't want to rent.

    Lance loves headrubs!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!! Lance also loves shaking paws. And MORE HEADRUBS. EVERYTHING'S COMIN' UP LANCE LOOK AT THAT TAIL GO

    But then -- beep! A message! Tsubasa taps out a reply -- and in the middle of it, glances over to investigate the motion out of the corner of their eye, only to see Morgana losing all his hot air. "Hey, man," they say, with a light frown. "You cool? She ain't ignorin' us, she jus' been workin' through break..." Because of course those photo shoots are work. It's not even that weird -- Tsubasa's been putting more time in reviewing dry financial reports and the like for the detective agency, too.

    In line, Ren gives them a heads up, and Tsubasa looks to them. "Yeah?" They ask, and then nod. "Sure."

    When they reach the omikuji box, they clap, and ring, and do all the things to acquire...

    'SUE-KICHI -- A FUTURE BLESSING'
    'ONE'S WISH OR DESIRE'

    "Sick," they decide... though it seems like Morgana had a much worse outcome.

<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.

Ryuji grins at Ichika, wishing there was a little PDA....but he'll deal. For now, he is on his best behavior. He does turn his head and sees Hibari is looking at him for some reason. He smiles and waves.

 "Oh, thanks." Ryuji responds to Makoto's congratulations on his grades, smiling awkwardly. He isn't sure how he managed to get that high of a score on the exam but it was probably all the studying he was made to go to. Unfortunately, none of that knowledge was going to stick for the next term. Luckily for him, Makoto has her priorities elsewhere so he can escape her checking his grades this time....hopefully.

 He winces when even Ren congratulates him. The blonde laughs oddly as he scratches the back of his head. "Hey, lets not expect too much. I got lucky this time...Plus you guys really pushed me to study. Not to mention my mom was on my ass too."

 Then Morgana speaks up again and he turns red, glaring at the cat. Anyone who isn't in the group probably thinks this delinquent is insane as he is mean mugging a freaking cat....not to mention yelling at it. "The hell is that supposed to mean?! Only animal here is you, man."

 When he and Morgana are told to cool it, Ryuji sighs and nods. "Sure. My bad."

 Then Futaba gives a cryptic comment about laughter. Admittedly, Ryuji isn't sure how to respond. "Uh...I'll keep that in mind?"

 He turns to Ren, nodding at his answer. "Yeah. This term is gonna be better! I can feel it in my bones! We're gonna take down any obstacle in front of us!"


 Ryuji waits until he get through the line, keeping close to Ichika and Tsubasa in line. He prays quickly, not exposing his hopes because then they might not come true. He casually takes a scroll and holds his breath while he opens it.

 Sue-sho-kichi -Future small blessing
 Negaigoto One's wish or desire

 Ryuji grins at the scroll, holding it up over his head. "Yo, Ren! Check it out! What did you get?

 He does peep Morgana's fortune, shaking his head as he breaths a sharp breath through his teeth. "Tough break."

 When Hibari defends him, he brightens up. "Yeah, Aoki is right. Lets just enjoy the scenery and make some good memories." He looks over to Ichika, then to Tsubasa. He looks around more, nodding. "You guys are how I got through so much stuff so I can't imagine myself anywhere else right now."

 "Yeah, man." Ryuji grins at Tsubasa. "Anytime. I still gotta show you where I work sometime. Anime junk as far as the eye can see. The boss man is one of those old school otaku types. Says he used to break into studios for copies of art or something. Kinda sounded sketchy."

<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.

Maybe later, on the DA, probably not so much P... Ichika also notices the umbrella--but Ren comments on it first. She considers that, but doesn't dwell yet. Instead, "I wish that too," Ichika says of entrance exams and the new term. "But nothing for it, right?" she agrees. Then, "Yeah! I'm proud of you. Even you and me can get our grades up, right?"

A new coat...

And, "It's a lot of work," Ichika agrees with Makoto.

But Ren mentions her mother too, and Ichika nods. "Yeah! We're the same height. Kinda similar builds, too..." Ichika looks a lot like her mother; this isn't something she has a problem with. But... Morgana teases Ryuji, and Ichika frowns. "Not cool, Morgana."

Off to the shrine! And... something to let them know? "OK," Ichika says to Ren. "Whenever you're ready."

Futaba meanwhile has a questiona bout her kimono, she thinks. "Yeah," Ichika says. "I'm good on temperature. You wear lining and stuff under the kimono too."

Ichika trusts Tsubasa. She's just doing her part right now.

"I'm with Tsubasa," Ichika says to Hibari. "If you hedge your bets, you're half-accepting failure already. Go for the one you wnt more!"

Soon: Shake, offering, bow, clap... bow...

Kichi (Blessing)
Tenkyo (Moving or changing residence)

"Oh hey," Ichika says. "Nice. I was worried about that..."

She smiles at Ryuji. "I just want to do my part for both of you. ...And yeah, his workpalce is pretty cool. I've gotten a couple things from there now..."

<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.

    "Maybe next year," Makoto responds to Morgana- honestly, it would have been nice to. But no point making more of a deal of it as is. Still, she smiles a bit at the fact that she would have come across 'just as elegant'. "That's a high bar to meet," Makoto says, a little quietly.

    Unfortunately, Ren is astute, and Makoto winces a bit. "Y-yeah," Makoto admits, a little uncomfortably. "I... think it got knocked off my bag somewhere, and I didn't notice until I got home. I checked with lost property at the station, but no one handed it in." So that explains what she meant by losing 'something frivolous' she mentioned losing. "It's my own fault for being careless."

    It's probably telling that Makoto failed to yell at Ryuji for talking about being thieves in public, and leaves it to Ren. Indeed, it takes Morgana getting even louder and snarkier for her to speak up. "You need to be quieter, Morgana. We don't want to get kicked out for bringing in someone who looks and sounds like a cat."

    Makoto also goes for her phone when the notification goes off, and Makoto nods. "You're right. We should get in queue before it's too late." Makoto *does* blink when Ren says she has an announcement. "Of course. Whenever you're ready."

    Makoto nods in agreement with Hibari- and then comes the commentary on Kimono from her and Ichika. "I can imagine, you'd definitely be cutting it close. Ann and I rented yukata for the fireworks festival and I was a bit worried about how they'd take to us returning them soaking wet after what happened." She smiles, a bit. "...still, having that sort of handmedown can be nice sometimes."

    Makoto nods quietly as Tsubasa acknowledges they'll reach out. "I-I mean, I wouldn't put it that way. They're just... difficult on your own, and I didn't really want to manage the trains in one." She frowns. "That said, I can imagine with how traditional many such places here, you'd have a harder time than most." Makoto sighs. ...maybe kimonos *are* a fuck after all.

    "Any improvement is worth it," she says to Ryuji, "and if you've done it once, ypou can do it again. I expect you to keep it up for finals." You are not out of danger yet, Ryuji. There's still one more term.

    As they get into line, well, Makoto does shift her eyes to Futaba. "...Still good?" She asks again, quietly, not wanting to draw too much attention but she does seem to be uneasy about school talk. And the place is big and crowded and outside- these are all big pushes for Futaba. If needed, they can definitely find somewhere quiet.

    As Makoto comes up to get her fortune drawn, she completes the ritual precisely and takes her, unfolding it to look.

    KICHI - BLESSING
    GAKUMON - STUDIES OR LEARNING

    "...well, that's hardly a surprise," Makoto says, perhaps a little underwhelmed by her fortune. "Still, it's good to have while waiting for entrance exam results..."

    Still. She might have preferred machibito, or even arasoigoto.

    Morgana's wail isn't that helpful, but she sighs. "I guess you should invest in some wards against bad luck..."

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.

    "Not for you," Morgana assures Makoto. It is a high bar, but he's confident she could reach it. She's naturally poised, after all!
    
    Probably the best people to advise Hibari about dying her hair are Futaba and Ryuji, since the two of them do too, though it's Futaba and Tsubasa who encourage her to just go for blue. Ichika weighs in nicely on just going for what she wants instead of half-assing it too. Ren can only nod their own support--but having a varied group of friends like this is part of why it's so great.
    
    "Ahh," they utter when Hibari mentions her current color is getting discontinued. At least she was considering it anyway--it'd be a shame if it was only happening because the issue's getting forced.
    
    As for kimonos, Ren does have one at this point, and while they might only wear it for shifts at Bar Crossroads at present, between that and make-up, they do understand how long it takes to get properly prepared. They can't fault Tsubasa for their attitude on them, even if they rather like kimonos themself. Of course, when it comes specifically to women's kimonos, the two of them have very different relationships with femininity, too.
    
    Their expression turns grave when Makoto uncomfortably implies what happened with her umbrella. "I see... That really sucks. I'm sorry," they say quietly.
    
    Ryuji doesn't look all that pleased about being praised for his good grades. Ren suspects they know why; getting praise implies they all expect him to keep it up. Makoto says so explicitly, too, so there's pressure there on top of that. "Luck's also a part of skill," they decide to say. "Let's keep studying together. I'm helping Ann out too."
    
    After all, her grades remained t e r r i b l e . She was so terrified of how Makoto would react...
    
    "I'm not an animal either!! I just look like one because reasons! You know that, idiot!!" Morgana yells back at Ryuji, sounding like a loudly hissing cat to those outside the group--only for just Ren but Makoto, Ichika and Hibari to chastise him, Makoto coming in particularly hot with the freezing cold logic of how he still looks and sounds like a cat.
    
    Futaba might come to his defense, sort of, but Tsubasa pointing out that Ann isn't ditching the group, just busy with work, doesn't help. He knows that, but it doesn't help the disappointment any. Maybe he could've rallied if he'd gotten a good fortune, but with what he got...
    
    Well, with that as the cherry on top, he is now not-a-cat ooze, draped lifelessly over Ren's shoulder. He doesn't even respond to Tsubasa's concern, much less snark at Ryuji's sincere sympathies, which is how you know he's depressed.
    
    Hibari offers to help him tie his fortune. Morgana looks blearily up at her. "Tying?"
    
    "When you get a bad fortune, you tie it up to let the local kami take it on for you," Ren explains. (Presumably his amnesia also took this memory from him.) They nod towards another part of the shrine where people are doing precisely that to a tying rack. "Like them."
    
    Morgana is on his feet and jumping onto Hibari's shoulder immediately. "Yes I need a hand! Let's go!!"
    
    Ren smiles and hands her the DAIKYO fortune. Sure, they could help Morgana with it, but she made the offer, so they'll let her do it. Strictly speaking, one can tie any fortune, not just kyo, but this might help Morgana feel better. That's half the point of tying a bad fortune--to mentally reset and leave those bad feelings behind.
    
    Of course, one needs to tie the fortune oneself for that, but if Hibari's doing it on his behalf, maybe it'll still be fine.
    
    Ren will share their fortune with Ryuji while the two are gone, then glance over at Futaba and Makoto's as the latter checks in on the former. For all the two of them seem to have mixed feelings on theirs, it seems like, of this group, Morgana's the only one who got outright bad luck. That's really bad luck.
    
    Once he and Hibari are back, and everyone's gone off to a quieter corner of the shrine...
    
    "So--I talked to Ann about this already, and Makoto and Ichika, you already know a little about this too." Ren gives the two of them a significant look. "For the rest of you, I know this is sudden, and I'm sure you'll all have questions, but...
    
    "Akechi and I are dating now."
    
    A beat.
    
    "That's a secret. Keep it to yourselves," they add, because that's really, really important to underscore with certain members of this crowd.

<Pose Tracker> Futaba Sakura has posed.

 
"Keeping it bleached is the real hassle," Futaba tells Hibari. "I'm probably due myself."

so it's NOT naturally monochrome orange.

Which is completely unsurprising, and yet! Futaba reaches up to scratch at her scalp for a moment, pursing her lips.

She folds up the scroll, now unfurled, the other way around. There is a delay when Lance indicates that more pets are highly indicated. Doing so keeps her feeling more peaceful as she turns her head towards Ryuji. Ryuji the grademaster. Ryuji the proof that studying can work. Ryuji, who can just walk into a high school without --!!!!

"... I bet the lining's just some of those thermal sweat pants," Futaba says. "Do you admit it?" Joking? She adjusts her glasses while looking at Ichika for a moment, but she seems to mean it, or at least isn't looking like she's joking.

(Secretly, Futaba had been trying to make a joke but the delivery landed flat and wet, like a flounder.)

Makoto speaks to her, shortly after that. "..." Futaba's head slumps down a little, but she keeps petting Lance's head. "... it's alright. I wanna walk around before we go back into the trains and everything. Um. Hmm..." Her head comes up. "Maybe I should get an ema, too..."

(Probably, to be less nervous in crowded areas.)

Futaba spaces, quietly, for a moment, and stays near Ren as the group moves to somewhere quieter. After some time, she relaxes, in the approximate concealment of RenIchikaMakotoRyujiHibari. And raises her eyes up when Ren speaks.

Strangely enough, Futaba seems completely unsurprised by these turns of events. "Grats," she says, brightening tonally for a moment as she does!

<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.

Ryuji grins and nods. "Yeah you've gotten some pretty cool stuff...Some I was shocked you were into but then again, maybe not that shocked. Heh." He touches her back playfully before returning his hand to his side. "I mean I'm acting like I don't like some anime but I do. Just the scene gets kinda crazy at times."

 Ryuji hears Makoto's declaration that he needs to do it again. He blinks and realizes he's in danger still. He could see the metaphorical boss health bar appear under Makoto.

 He smiles at Ren when they offer to help him, clapping his hands together. "Thank you!...I don't know if I can do it again."

 Then the bombshell...Ryuji just stares when Ren admits to dating Akechi. He is gobsmacked. "FOR REAL?! Like it's not because he's another guy but like...him?! Really?! Like the guy is kinda much...no offense."

 That wasn't something he expected and he sounded more shocked than anything else. Just...does this mean that guy is going to be watching them more? Does that mean he's closer to discovering the Phantom Thieves.

 And more importantly, does this mean Ryuji has to hang out with Akechi?! Like the guy probably didn't watch or do anything cool. He probably drank coffee, listened to Jazz, and read books. Still he takes a deep breath and decides to support his friend's relationship with....goddamn Akechi.

 He turns his head to Futaba, blinking as he is still in shock from...Goddamnit he needs to be nice to swarmy, admittedly handsome, TV famous detective who is chasing them. "What are you talking about?"

<Pose Tracker> Hibari Aoki has posed.

"You're lucky they took them wet," Hibari says, with a slight laugh, about Makoto and Ann bringing back soaked kimonos. "With my luck they wouldn't have. I guess if the rain caught everyone by surprise, you probably weren't the only person to do it..."

It's a shame she lost her umbrella, but Hibari doesn't know the details about it, so she misses some context. Still, it always sucks to lose something you liked... even if it is just an umbrella.

There are plenty of blues for everyone! Hibari would probably stay away from cyans for the same reason as Tsubasa staying out of blues, though. It's only polite.

Everybody with an opinion seems to suggest blue. Well, that settles it for Hibari, at least for the moment; she can always change it again next time it grows out if it doesn't work out for her. But... "Most people don't have hair *that* red," she points out, tugging at the end of her own, where a bit of the ombre yet remains. "It's really more a Western thing and even then, a lot of the time it's really like blonde-red. Not like Futaba-chan has."

Hibari pauses for a moment as Ryuji explains. "Where do you even work?" she asks, because she never has - she knows it's in Akihabara somewhere but that's all she knows. And if he's working for an otaku...

...well, it pays the bills, right?

When Morgana transfers to her shoulder, Hibari shifts to accomodate a shoulder-riding not-a-cat. She doesn't live with cats and this is something she's inexperienced in, but it's not like Morgana is going to make it hard. Or use claws. Hopefully. (But she's not in a short sleeved or sleeveless top - she has a jacket, even - so even that wouldn't be as bad as it could be.)

"Okay, okay!" Hibari is laughing, at least. "Just give me a moment," she says, as she escorts Morgana over to the mikuji-kake. "You're supposed to do this off-handed, I heard..." Hibari isn't too bad with her off hand, at least; she's not one of those people with one extremely dominant hand. (She used to be when she was little. That's why she started using the baoding balls originally, before they became something she used to keep her hands busy and her mind moving.)

"All right, there," she says, giving it a last tug. She crouches slightly so that Morgana can reach to give it a bat if he's so inclined - maybe that counts for him tying it? And if someone looks at her weird because she's letting a cat attack 'her' bad fortune, well, she's been looked at funny before. "Let's head back before Ren-kun spills the beans without us."

She really does want to hear what he has to say!

And when he *does* say it, she has to admit it wasn't what she was expecting - from either Ren or Akechi. She does not know Akechi personally, either, only from television, but she did get the idea Ren was learning some of what she taught for a special friend. She just thought it was Minako (at the time; she knows they broke up since). And also a girlfriend, and not a boyfriend. Though it does make a couple things Ren has said sound different in retrospect.

(And he probably does listen to jazz. She does know that Ren plays the saxophone...)

Hibari ends up with a little satisfied smile. She likes it when things work out. It's not quite the perfect :3 but she's working on it. "Oh *really*," she says, before grinning. "Don't worry. I won't tell," she promises, hand to her heart for a moment. "I wouldn't have guessed, though. Though, doesn't that make things a little awkward, given some of the things he's said on television?"

See, *she* can not say 'phantom thieves' in public.

"He's a busy boy and all. Still, the heart wants what the heart wants..." That pleased expression comes back. "I'm happy for you!"

<Pose Tracker> Tsubasa Seki has posed.

    To Ryuji, they counsel: "Listen to ya mom." Ryuji's mother isn't evil, they can say that. "But yeah, see?" They add, on Ichika's heels. "It's a pain in th' ass, but puttin' in work does work, I guess."

    (But they do elbow him, at one point, showing their similar fortunes, to brag -- "Mine's bigger." THE CHEEK!)

    "Wonder if he's got some Udonto shit..." Tsubasa wonders, as well, hearing about Ryuji's boss. (Of course Tsubasa likes the ninja show. Why wouldn't they?)

    Ryuji and Morgana fighting is a day ending in Y, so Tsubasa doesn't get involved. More's the pity...

    "What, were you distracted?" Tsubasa's surprised to hear that Makoto didn't notice something like that. Still, "... sucks, man."

    On their kimono, though, they explain for Makoto: "Gettin' easier, tho'. Uh. Kinda." Their T has still mostly been under the hood, but there are some things becoming a little more obvious now...

    And then Futaba reveals her hairdye usage, and Tsubasa blinks. "Huh. Shoulda seen that comin'." What, Tsubasa, did you think staying inside for months at a time just made her hair naturally weird??? "I jus' figured bein' inside that long made her hair go funky," Tsubasa absolutely did think that, as they explain, bold as brass, to Hibari.

    They lean over, though, in the wake of Futaba's joke, and -- "As ya lawyer," they advise Ichika, "I'm advisin' ya you don't gotta admit shit." ... is Tsubasa playing along with Futaba's flounder of a joke?! The look they pass over Futaba's head (that's not hard) to Ichika certainly suggests that.

    Lance has stuck with Futaba this whole time, because she has a sixth sense for figuring out when someone is doing something so brave.

    "Holy shit," they add, as they look over to the tree to see Hibari let Morgana bat the fortune, "that's cute as hell." ... "Oi, don't tell him I said that." (Tsubasa's pretty sure Hibari's fine with being seen as cute, but it's different for guys...)

    But then Hibari gets back, and Ren tips over a can, and Tsubasa tilts their head thoughtfully. "Sick catch," they conclude, after a moment. "You wanna go for 'bad boy', ain't sure you get more'n that." Golden boy??? No, he stepped on Tsubasa's toes, he'll never be golden. "He'll keep ya on ya toes, that's for sure... jus' don't get sunk. Talk about guys speakin' 'lawyer language'..."

    Still, they jerk their chin to Ryuji and Hibari. "Yeah, how ya balancin' that with th' investigatin'?"

<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.

Maybe next year. When Futaba mentions the bleach, "Yeah, it is," Ichika agrees. She's definitely not a natural blonde. As to her kimono, "It's cool--I would find renting a pain traveling like this, too." A smile at Makoto. "Yeah," she says. "I feel... connected to her, like this."

But they are indeed a fuck for some people. Definitely for Tsubasa. Anime stuff though, makes Ichika laugh. "it does seem to get pretty crazy--but it's fun to see things people are so passionate about. And some of the girls are pretty hot." Not that that tends to matter to Ichika more than aesthetically... right?

Danger!!

But Futaba... Futaba makes her joke. Ichika stares at her. Thermal sweat pants... Tsubasa advises she not admit anything, and Ichika nods thoughtfully. "Mm, yeah..."

Then she laughs happily. "That'd be a lot more convenient, huh?" she asks good-naturedly.

But...

Akechi! "Congrats," Ichika says, because it's the appropriate time--then she laughs a little at Ryuji. "You gotta be nice," she assures him. "But maybe not too nice? It might give things away..."

She smiles at Hibari--but leaves the questiont o Ryuji to him. When she and Morgana come back...

"Romance is always awkward," Ichika says with the wisdom of--well. She's had a lot of them. Don't worry about it.

Bat bat bat. Ichika won't rat Tsubasa out.

Ichika doesn't ask the questions here; she just offers support. But she is kind of curious...

"On your toes isn't a bad place to be."

<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.

    Makoto's really not sure how to take that compliment from Morgana. After all, she might be poised but... look. There's multiple reasons Ichika has multiple partners and it seems silly to state that her appearance isn't one of them. Comparing Makoto to her or Ann seems a little unreasonable. Hell, she's pretty sure Ren pulls off a kimono better than she does. "Thanks," she manages eventually, and neutrally.

t"...Thank you," Makoto murmurs back. "Hopefully it ended up with someone who appreciates it, at least." And not, hopefully, with the homunculus wearing human skin. She'd really prefer not that.

    She nods to Futaba, as she expresses her desires. "We've still got some time, so you don't need to rush. Other parts should be less crowded." Makoto falls into line as part of the Futaba Protection Wall a little too easily.

    Niijima, Forceful Scholar is a terrible boss to face, but she does have her weaknesses. Surviving to the end of term means she can only unleash her Fist of Justice- and then she leaves the battle, for example. Makoto just blinks. "...hm?" She cannot see what Ryuji sees. She knows not the ways of Shadowed Spirits...

    "Yeah, you're telling me. It was kind of an underwhelming celebration, all things said. But some good came of it, I think. It was a real rush to get them back and get to Sumaru in time, even though we only had to get there for the dark hour."

    Tsubasa, unfortunately, pushes a little harder on the umbrella thing, and Makoto sighs a little. "...it must have happened during that incident with Nagisa-kun," Makoto says, finally. "Like I said, I was careless, I must have lost it while running." There's a clipped note to Makoto's voice. She's decided it's her fault, and her problem, after all. She *was* warned that Shinichi was dangerous... Indeed, she does move onto the next topic of Tsubasa's kimono. "Oh?" She asks, putting the pieces together as she does so. "The hormones are helping, then?" She's at least discreet enough to ask quietly, but, well. She did go on a several day study bing after meeting Tsubasa again. She wanted to make sure she understood things as properly as she could.

    Makoto smiles back at Ichika. "...I'm like that whenever I wear one of the outfits that used to belong to Sis. It's... kinda comforting to feel like I'm closer to her like that." Especially with the growing distance.

    When Ren says that Makoto and Ichika know something about it, it takes Makoto a few moments to remember the conversation that led to their breakup. "Oh, congratulations!" Makoto says, earnestly if not without concerns. "I'm glad things worked out. I won't say I'm not a little concerned, given he's working with Sis on the Phantom Thieves case," and she's pretty sure Akechi knows who they are and hasn't told Sae yet, "but... I'm happy for you." There's a brief pause.

    "Are you... doing okay with hiding that side from yourself from him?"

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.

    Ren's brows furrow in concern when Makoto admits she must've lost the umbrella during her confrontation with Shinichi's Homunculus. There's little to do about that now, and it isn't worth risking anyone's safety for an umbrella, so they let the topic drop, but... "I'll be sure to ask Yoshizawa if there's any news about that." They nod firmly to Ryuji, given he's Shinichi's classmate. "We can't let him keep running rampant."
    
    "I know you will. I aim to break into the top ten for finals, so all three of us are gonna have to bust our butts," Ren tells Ryuji with a crooked smile. "May as well keep doing it as a team." A firm nod over to Ichika, who's also brought her grades up. "See? This way you two get to match."
    
    A smile, too, as Futaba completely fails at making a joke at Ryuji, and Tsubasa and Ichika supporting her anyway despite Ryuji's befuddlement--as well as Makoto asking about Tsubasa's hormones. Ah, friendship.
    
    But that was then, and this is now.
    
    Over at the mikuji-kake, Morgana watches intently as Hibari ties his bad fortune for him. "Off-handed, huh..." He looks at his paws for a moment. When he's in his cognitive form in the Metaverse, he can say pretty clearly he's right-handed, but... here in the real world... he's... right-pawed...? Yeah, he uses his right paw more often for stuff... It's weird to suddenly think about.
    
    He takes Hibari up on batting the fortune, at least, making sure to use his left paw. "All right!! That'll clear my bad luck for sure!" he says with blustering confidence, though he takes care to keep his voice down now. "I won't let this get me down!"
    
    He already knows what Ren's going to announce, though, so he's not in as much of a rush there. Still, he nods. "Yeah, let's go."
    
    (Tsubasa is correct: at best, Morgana would have deeply conflicted feelings about being called 'cute.' Ren won't share.)
    
    Futaba takes the news in stride--oddly so, it'll occur to them to think later, but Ryuji's UTTER SHOCK overshadows it completely. "Yeah. You were right, he was into me," they add with a shrug. "It turns out he's bi, just--not out." Which is why it's a secret. (Granted, they knew he was bi back then when Ryuji suggested it, but at that point, Ren didn't have permission to tell anyone else. It's different now.)
    
    They chuckle when he says Akechi's 'kinda much.' "Yeah, he sucks," they say with full affection, lines of pink affection on their cheeks as they smile fondly. The emotionally intelligent of this team will clock immediately that this isn't some kind of ploy: Ren is 100% in love. "Don't worry, I don't expect you guys to get along with him. I know he's a lot. He knows it too."
    
    Hibari wishes the two well. Ren grins a bit. "Thanks," they tell her and Futaba alike. "We talked about that. He's going to keep up that attitude in public--it'd look suspicious otherwise--but he's willing to be convinced we're just." They crook a smile as they shrug. "He just needs to figure out how we do what we do first." Their smile blooms into a broad grin. "Without any hints."
    
    They're really having fun, huh? (And doesn't that imply Akechi already knows they're a Phantom Thief?! ...well, yes. He's known for ages. He and Ren even dropped the act of pretending not to know ages ago, it feels like.)
    
    Which is why they continue, "We talked about how to handle when we're in the Metaverse too. We agreed we can keep flirting, but act like it's just a game of 4-D chess we're playing as two rivals so he doesn't look like he's cheating on 'Ren Amamiya.'"
    
    This might explain the vibe the two had at Hana's Kingdom... And the way Ren talks about it so naturally, like it's something everyone should know, might explain why it hasn't come up before either.
    
    They do raise their eyebrows at Tsubasa, not just at how they describe Akechi as a 'sick catch' but also as a 'bad boy.' Well, he did step on their toes, even if Goro insisted that hadn't been his intent. Still, they smile again. Ichika says 'on your toes' isn't a bad place to be, and Ren agrees with pride and satisfaction, "It sure isn't."
    
    This might next explain what the appeal of Goro Akechi even is to them. After Ichika comments to Ryuji that being too nice might 'give things away,' though, Ren pauses as something occurs to them. It sinks in in time for Makoto to ask a question that removes all doubt, and they grimace.
    
    "............yeah, I, uh, don't need to. He's figured us out already and has for a long time. We stopped pretending neither of us realized a while back," they admit, rubbing the back of their head. "We all already talked about how he probably did once upon a time--" Makoto in particular may remember this, "--and Morgana and I have been talking about it for a while, so it never occurred to me to confirm it with everybody... Sorry." They grimace. "I'm glad I listened to Ann about letting you all know about him and me. She was unthrilled-but-supportive, too."
    
    Morgana just heaves a heavy sigh. For all he said to Hibari earlier about not letting himself get down, that's all he can muster at the moment.
    
    At least now Makoto knows for sure about Akechi not telling Sae??

[OOC] Ren Amamiya says, "blu-ray They grimace. (the second) -> They bow in apology, contrite."
[OOC] Ren Amamiya says, "wait whoops. blu-ray He's figured us out already and has for a long time. -> He figured me out
already and has for a long time."

<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.

"Oh this model shop in Akiba. Ichika and I can take you there sometime, Aoki." Ryuji nods, coming down from his shock.

 "He might? He's got a lot of stuff. Honestly the store is kinda mess in some ways but people tend to find a lot of stuff they have to have. He hired me cuz I scare off the weirdos who loiter around the sexy girl statues so..." He shrugs, grinning when Tsubasa jabs him in the stomach. "Heh. So it is but I'm happy with the size of my...fortune."

 Thats what they were talking about right?

 When Ichika says he has to be nice, Ryuji frowns a little. "But he's so....Fiiiiiine. I'll be good." For Ren's sake anyway. He turns to look at them, giving a "helpful" and supportive thumbs up.

 He listens to Ren explain that the guy knows and he is just shocked. How did that asshole figure it out. It's not like anyone** was shouting they were the Phantom Thieves.

 **It was him shouting about them being the Phantom Thieves.


 Regardless, things were changing. He wondered if everything was going to go ok with Ren's boyfriend actually having them dead to rights as the ones changing hearts. Maybe that was about his pay grade.

<Pose Tracker> Futaba Sakura has posed.

 
FOR REAL? asks Ryuji. Futaba reaches up to scratch her nose, pursing her lips. The reaction seems ambiguous, even if Ryuji's intention is clearly positive. And then to Ryuji, who is turning to HER as if he expects her to HAVE a conversation, she says, "It's an efficient way of saying congratulations. Unless you mean about the hair."

Since obviously Ryuji probably knows The Pain of bleaching hair. If perhaps somewhat less of it, due to having somewhat less of it (hair) (since his hairstyle is shorter).

"That's the first test," she answers Hibari, gnomically, when she says 'he's a busy boy and all.'

If you can't make time for people when they request... eventually they won't have that same kind of relationship with you any more. That's just the way it is, in the world of real life and the somewhat more rareified space of otome games. She slips into these sorts of thoughts, petting Lance's head.

Lance has made a sure friend, though perhaps a nervous one... at least for a while.

"That's next level thinking," Futaba does say, when Ren outlines the 4D chess. "I won't give it away. My lips are sealed, and buried under the distant sands." Then there's another beat. Where Ren reveals that no, actually, Akechi's figured it out.

The 'detective prince,' and he knows about them. *Plural* them, of course.

Futaba's hand on Lance stops for a moment.

Then there's more petting. That's easier for her to focus on.

<Pose Tracker> Futaba Sakura has posed.

 
Futaba blinks owlishly at Tsubasa as they comment. (Inward Futaba thinking: They... they totally just said that. Was that an inside thought?! Has all that suffering given them the courage to just say whatever, no matter where they are?!?
 
FOR REAL? asks Ryuji. Futaba reaches up to scratch her nose, pursing her lips. The reaction seems ambiguous, even if Ryuji's intention is clearly positive. And then to Ryuji, who is turning to HER as if he expects her to HAVE a conversation, she says, "It's an efficient way of saying congratulations. Unless you mean about the hair."

Since obviously Ryuji probably knows The Pain of bleaching hair. If perhaps somewhat less of it, due to having somewhat less of it (hair) (since his hairstyle is shorter).

"That's the first test," she answers Hibari, gnomically, when she says 'he's a busy boy and all.'

If you can't make time for people when they request... eventually they won't have that same kind of relationship with you any more. That's just the way it is, in the world of real life and the somewhat more rareified space of otome games. She slips into these sorts of thoughts, petting Lance's head.

Lance has made a sure friend, though perhaps a nervous one... at least for a while.

"That's next level thinking," Futaba does say, when Ren outlines the 4D chess. "I won't give it away. My lips are sealed, and buried under the distant sands." Then there's another beat. Where Ren reveals that no, actually, Akechi's figured it out.

The 'detective prince,' and he knows about them. *Plural* them, of course.

Futaba's hand on Lance stops for a moment.

Then there's more petting. That's easier for her to focus on.

[OOC] Futaba Sakura says, "blu-ray: use second take"
[OOC] Futaba Sakura says, "also also: blu-ray: The 'detective prince,' and he knows about them. Well, Ren. But if he's
figured out Ren..."

<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.

    There is, frankly, a whole fucking lot to take all of sudden. And look! Makoto and Ren had a nice, amicable breakup, for a reason that was pretty much inarguable. Elaborate flirting agreements, metaverse 4D chess, whatever else are things they are allowed to organize, even if Makoto might not want to deal with her ex flirting with one of their sworn enemies.

    No the bigger, important part, is that Ren forgot to mention a *very* key part of the arrangement. Futaba might go silent, Makoto does not.

    "Ren," she says, in a voice that is suddenly very Queen-like. "Don't you think you should have led with that?" Okay, yeah, she's a little pissed. If Ann were to mention her grades now, Makoto might be too busy being angry at Ren to bother sealing Ann's fate.

    ...not all of that anger is justified- there's a lot of jealousy as the undercurrent. Ren can tell the primary detective on their case, who is now their boyfriend. Makoto, meanwhile, has to live with the lead prosecutor, her only living family, and constantly lie to her.

    And then, just as suddenly, she stops. "...Never mind. We'll talk about this later."

    Way to bring down the mood, Makoto.

<Pose Tracker> Hibari Aoki has posed.

Hibari may have done it half because Morgana deserves a chance to take it out on his fortune, same as anyone else, and half because it's cute. She's not saying. She certainly won't say it in front of Morgana. She's not a jerk! Usually. "Good on you," Hibari says. "I always feel better when I've tied a bad one off. I don't go to shrines very much, but I usually make sure to go for the new year - though this is the first time I've gone with a big group!"

"That's... not how hair works. I don't think?" Honestly, Hibari hasn't done the experiment. Maybe it does make your hair go weird. But she doubts it. "See? Are you going for the same colour again?" Hibari asks Futaba. She expects yes, but... you never know! And if there was ever a big change in Futaba's life, it's now - so now's the time to think about it.

Hibari glances Tsubasa for a moment at their comment. "Bad boy, huh...? I suppose, to some people, a detective would be a bad boy. I always assumed he was pretty straight-laced, though... but I've only seen him on television, you know? Maybe he does let loose when nobody is looking."

Ryuji offers to bring her to the model shop with Ichika. "Hmm... Sure, why not?" She's a little surprised by the invitation, or possibly at Ryuji's revealed job. Though, it makes sense when he says some of the rest of it. "It's not usually my scene at all, but it never hurts to broaden your horizons, does it?"

But then Ren takes the time to explain what's up with him and Akechi in a little more detail.

It sounds like Ren has thought about this a fair bit (good) but that Akechi knows a lot more than she thought he did (uncertain). Makoto's not happy, at least. Hibari isn't quite sure what she thinks. She's never met Akechi personally, but she's seen him on television, and she's a little worried about the possible fallout. It's easy for her to imagine something slipping out; she's well aware of how fast rumours, fact, and 'fact' spread.

"If you're sure," she says, sounding a little less certain of herself. "Well, you said he did figure it out, so it's not like we could ever have done anything about it, and you did mention it to other people... So it's fine. I'll wish you well!"

She gives her cheerful smile again. It doesn't even look forced! She really seems to be happy Ren's happy, though how much of that is her not wanting to ruin the vibe? Some of it, probably; Hibari doesn't like to get the mood down. But she has known Ren for a long time... or at least, a long time ago... to say nothing of the Phantom Thieves now, and it's nice to see him happy. She can tell Akechi really means something to him.

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.

    Not all of it, maybe--but definitely a lot. Makoto's anger is unmistakable, and there's nothing Ren can say in their defense beyond what they've already said. They go quiet in an instant, eyes down. Fortunately, she doesn't lay into them further... but when she says they'll talk later, they nod once in silent acceptance.
    
    It might bring down the mood, but it's important and deserved and Ren knows it. They nod to Hibari too, relieved that at least one person isn't too upset. Still, if anyone else feels the same way--and while Ryuji's second look of shock is obvious to anyone, they also notice the way Futaba's hand stops on Lance's head for a moment and feel guilty about it--hopefully those ones will feel better knowing Makoto's going to give them the dressing-down of a lifetime later.